June 3, 2013

REPS. LARSON, ROJAS LEAD PASSAGE OF MORE COMMISSION LEGISLATION
Common School Calendar, Phase-out Of Car Tax

Representatives Jason Rojas and Timothy Larson led the House Monday in passing legislation that implements many of the recommendations of the Speaker’s Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies Commission (MORE), including a phase-out of the local motor vehicle property tax.

“This has been a great bipartisan commission,” said Larson (D-East Hartford), commission chairman. “We’ve been able to implement a number of recommendations that towns and cities can utilize and have a very cost-effective impact on local government. As these changes take effect, the commission will renew its work, probably starting in September, and continue studying and evaluating other municipal efficiencies.”

Rep. Jason Rojas (D-Manchester, East Harford), chairman of the legislature’s Planning and Development Committee, summarized the legislation and fielded many of the legislators’ questions before they voted 111-28 to approve it.

“This bill represents a fundamental shift in how we approach regionalism in Connecticut. It’s a systems change that will empower the chief elected officials of our towns and cities to carry out regional efforts,” Rojas said.

“Our local CEO’s are the people who know best what can be done regionally and they also know best the limitations and pressures we face as a state that has a fragmented local governance system and an overdependence on property taxes to fund local services. This is not a top down approach. This is not county government. This bill takes an existing system and improves it. This bill puts us on a path to finally realizing the benefits of regionalism. Regionalism done the Connecticut way, in a way that respects local control and the premium we place on home rule,” Rojas said.

“The MORE Commission is about lowering costs at the municipal level and reducing the over-reliance on regressive property taxes,” said Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden), who chaired MORE in 2010 and resurrected the commission earlier this year. “From phasing out the local car tax and helping town government and boards of education save money through regional cooperation, municipalities will have more tools to better meet their budget challenges and provide property tax relief to their residents.”

The commission studied government operations and looked for ways to reduce costs and ultimately save taxpayer dollars. Joining Speaker Sharkey and other legislative leaders last month, the commission announced its recommendations, which were incorporated in House Bill 6629, An Act Concerning Regionalism in Connecticut.

Highlights of the legislation:

• Phases out the motor vehicle tax over seven years.
• Funds the expansion of the Nutmeg Network to connect all municipal facilities to the same high speed internet access system and allows for the sharing of software by municipalities.
• Creates a uniform system of accounting for all municipalities.
• Develops and implements a Regional Uniform Common Calendar for schools.
• Removes the mandate that requires municipalities to include confusing notification regarding public sewer or water services liens.
• Establishes regional human service coordinating councils for each planning region. They will develop an approach to improve service delivery and achieve cost savings in regions.
• Changes the classification of antique, rare and special interest motor vehicles to create a fairer tax system and maintain the integrity of the plate. Cars must now be 30 years old and are limited to 2,000 miles every two years.
• Establishes the Municipal Reimbursement and Revenue Account (MRRA). This account will be utilized to assist municipalities in adjusting to the removal of the motor vehicle property tax.

The legislation now goes to the Senate.